Easy tips for drinking less

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Wine O’Clock!!

There are days after a long, long, long day of motherhood when it really is lovely to sit down … yep actually sit down! … and enjoy a glass or two of red.

Know that feeling?!

We’re not meant to admit it but a glass of wine really does take the edge off those days, when everything seems well, edgy.

I’m not talking every night.

I’m really not.

Not even every other.

But somehow it adds up.

Particularly during December when even us mothers are meant to “relax” and “enjoy” ourselves … whilst still juggling motherhood! Oh my …

As I was saying, it adds up. Really adds up.

The sluggish and lack of energy … and irritability … the next day just seem to accumulate.

And make everything well … even edgier.

So I’m determined this year to have as dry a January as possible.

I found it made a massive difference last year. I had so much more energy and at the end of the month, felt much less “need” for a glass or two to take the edge off even the hardest days.

To get me prepared I’ve been dusting off all the tips I’ve found have helped in the past for both going dry in January and drinking less the rest of the year.

Easy Tips for a Dry January

If you’re going out decide in advance what soft drinks you’re going to drink

Let your friends and family know that you’re cutting down, so you get their support

Try & get friends and family to sign up to at least 4 free alcohol days

Stock up with alternatives treats for when you’re sad, tired, angry …

Practice saying no

Avoid people who won’t support your intention to give up

Arrange to go out where drink not sold

Write down how much money you can save by not drinking & stick it on the fridge

Come up with alternative habits to mark “trigger” times – NO more “Drink O’Clock”!

Come up with alternative habits to mark “trigger” days – NO more “TGIF Blow Out”!

Write down the enjoyable benefits of cutting down e.g. more energy, better skin

Just take it a day at a time!

Easy Tips for Drinking Less

Always have a long soft drink before alcohol so drinking because thirsty

After pouring a glass put the cork back in the bottle

Take the wine bottle off the table

When drinking white wine put the bottle back in the fridge after pouring

For every alcoholic drink have a soft one

Order small 125ml glasses of wine Drink – a large 250ml glass is a third of a bottle!

Check out the strength of alcohol you’re buying & buy lowest strength you can

Set yourself a weekly limit – at most half of what you typically drink

Take small sips rather than knocking it back

If you talk more, you’ll drink less 🙂

Don’t drink without eating

Whenever you can dilute alcohol with a mixer

I hope this post gets you off to a good start if you are planning to cut back on your alcohol consumption over the coming months. Do also check out our Healthy Snacks for Tired Mums post, keeping your blood sugar levels even is also a great way to not end up craving alcohol at the end of a long day.